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Ahhh TUATI has been without some untz for about two weeks now so I’m happy to not only be back, but back with a hot tune. ‘Hold On’ was a standout on SBTRK’s album released earlier this year, but it’s been given some pep by Berlin based producer, Burnski.

‘In a day and age where the definition of ‘house’ is constantly being re-conceptualised, a new breed of young-blood producers step forward bringing with them a deep and groove-laden sound building on classic timbers. At the forefront we find Burnski. Deftly abridging vintage Detroit and Chicago, always infused with the unmistakeable Burnski charm, he is moving dancefloors all over the world.’

I’m glad to be back sharing music after a joyous time abroad. Enjoy this massive edit. #untz/tom

Stars released their new album, North, this month, and by the time it came out I had already thoroughly devoured it on NPR’s First Listen. After only a few plays Walls was clearly the album standout for me: an echoed duet with glistening keys, pulling bass, and two lovers asking themselves an age old question, how did we get here? I never cease to be impressed by lead singers Amy and Torquil’s ability to story tell in their songs, with biting remarks met with innocent replies, questions met with questions: ‘Why did you do me?’ ‘Why did you get done?’

And as a bonus track, my favorite Stars track of the past, which has some of the best story telling I have heard in song writing, ever. Happy Monday.

Your Ex-Lover is Dead / Stars

‘and all of that time you thought I was sad / I was trying to remember your name’

You may be asking yourself, where has all the untz gone? Is TUATI dropping its signature U? Have no fear, the one and only Tom returns from Croatia on Sunday to get your thrice weekly dance fixes back in place. In the meantime, this week’s last indie, with a little kick to it.

Today’s Indie: Frivolous Life / YesYou ft. Marcus Azon

‘let me stand on your shoulders / so that I can see the giants back home’

I am sucker for songs with soaring’ooooo-woooo’s’ intertwined in their choruses, so to say this song is likable would be a gross understatement… it makes you feel great all over, even if the lyrics aren’t the happiest lot. Frivolous Life is from Brisbane duo Jono Kirham and Gav Parry, who have borrowed the vocals of Jinja Safari’s Marcus Azon for the tune. It has a great pace to it, reminding me of the likes of Bag Raiders or Foster the People. The duo debuted late last year with single Half of It, also worth a listen. Enjoy.

Wow. Here is some lush, dripping sound with layered synth, painted to the point where if you let yourself go on a bit of mind trip you might actually see the music sprawled out in front of you. The giver of these celestial tracks is Astronauts, etc., the solo project of Anthony Ferraro, who is a classically trained pianist from just across the puddle from us over in Berkeley.

With a haunting falsetto like Justin Vernon and rolling synth a la Youth Lagoon, the gentle roller coasters of sound he has created have settled into my bones, and have my missing my outer space loving counterpart – who is STILL in Croatia. Until his return, I will just have to turn this up and get lost in space on my own. #indie/tory

‘even when the sky is fallin’ / even when the sun don’t shine / I got faith in you and I / so put your pretty hand in mine’

Oakland trio Trails and Ways has grabbed my attention yet again this summer, this time with a cover of Miguel’s Sure Thing. Their sexy duet feels like a classic 90’s lower the lights slow jam met with an indie twist, and laced with clever lyrical divergence (listen carefully).

Sure Thing has me hitting repeat just like with their cover of Miracle and original track, Nunca, and I can’t wait to catch these locals live. Happy Monday. #indie/tory

‘so it seems / I’m fighting harder for you than I ever did for anything’

Young love! Like ZOMG. Today’s track comes from a product of the 90’s, and it shows in her syrupy lyrics (‘do you remember when you told me you loved me / I told you to say it again‘), but what separates Mariah from becoming another Taylor Swift is a voice well beyond her nineteen years. Sweet yet raspy, soaring and aching, it caught my ear while watching a trashy television show on The CW last night, enough so to inspire me to do some Googling to find this track.

I see loads of promise in this Utah born songstress the same way I did when I first heard a Birdy song or Sky Ferriera’s cover of Animal… hoping to come across more of this young lady soon. xoxo #indie / tory

It is the Tuesday after Labor day and I am mourning the end of a wonderful long weekend, shaking the Florida sun off my skin and settling back into cubicle life here on the other side of the country and wondering why Thanksgiving is so far away. I have also returned home to my other half and TUATI co-conspirator being far away… he is camped out in Europe for the next couple weeks for the aforementioned Dimensions Festival in Croatia. Jealous much?

Luckily I have found solace in the office dogs and loops of Elephant Revival all day. I discovered the Colorado quintet earlier this summer, and then saw them deliver not one but two knee buckling performances at the High Sierra Festival in July. There is a subtle, urgent honesty in their music, and a stop the world feel in their shows; for a moment nothing else matters. Their last album release was Break in the Clouds out in 2010, so here’s hoping for some new tunes soon. In the meantime, enjoy. #indie/tory